The ongoing price war between Amazon and Walmart has driven the Apple AirPods Pro 3 to a new record low, with Walmart now offering the noise-cancelling earbuds for $169.99. According to TechRadar's retail editor Alex Whitelock, this price undercuts Amazon's current listing of $179 and beats the previous low achieved just last week. The development comes just ahead of Amazon Prime Day, scheduled to start Tuesday, June 23.
The Pricing Battle
Walmart's latest price cut follows a pattern of aggressive discounting on Apple's premium earbuds. Whitelock reported that the AirPods Pro 3 were originally retailing at $249, with typical discounts bringing them to around $199 before recent reductions. Amazon has listed the buds at $179, but Walmart's $169.99 price now stands as the lowest ever. The competition is particularly notable as Amazon Prime Day is set to begin next Tuesday (June 23), and Whitelock noted that Amazon may potentially match Walmart's price.
The price progression is summarized below:
| Retailer | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $249 | Original retail price |
| Typical discount | $199 | Common price before recent cuts |
| Amazon | $179 | Current Amazon listing |
| Walmart | $169.99 | New record low |
Features and Performance
The AirPods Pro 3 are not just a pricing story; they also offer significant upgrades over previous models. According to TechRadar's review, the buds earned an impressive four and a half stars out of five, described as "near-perfect noise-cancelling earbuds." Key improvements include improved Active Noise Cancellation and audio, a new comfortable in-ear design, and features such as live translation, heart-rate monitoring, workout tracking, and calorie burn tracking. The customizable ear tips provide comfort and noise isolation, while Spatial Audio enhances the listening experience.
However, the review noted battery life as a potential drawback, with around 5.5 hours of usage in testing. Despite this, the combination of features makes the AirPods Pro 3 a strong contender for both personal and business use.
Implications for Enterprise Procurement
For technology procurement leaders and CTOs, the pricing battle between Amazon and Walmart offers a real-time case study in e-commerce competitive dynamics. While these retailers target consumers, enterprise buyers sourcing employee devices can benefit from the same pricing fluctuations. The current $169.99 price at Walmart represents a 32% discount off the original $249 MSRP, making it an attractive option for bulk purchases of premium wireless earbuds for remote workers or sales teams.
Enterprise decision-makers should monitor pricing across both platforms, especially around major sales events like Amazon Prime Day. Whitelock's reporting suggests that further price drops may occur as the event approaches, offering potential additional savings for volume buyers. The availability of features like heart-rate monitoring and live translation could also align with corporate wellness and communication initiatives.
As Amazon Prime Day approaches on June 23, the pricing battle may intensify further, potentially leading to additional reductions from either retailer. For enterprise buyers, this competition underscores the value of timing purchases around major retail events to maximize cost efficiency.
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